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The United Methodist Hymnal · No. 345 · Words: Traditional African American Spiritual · Tune: YARMOUTH
'Tis the Old Ship of Zion
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →'Tis the Old Ship of Zion is a traditional African American spiritual that uses the nautical metaphor of a ship to celebrate the church as a vessel of salvation carrying believers safely to glory. Its call-and-response structure and repeated refrain made it a cornerstone of African American worship.
Refrain
’Tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
get on board, get on board.
Verse 1
It has landed
many a thousand,
it has landed
many a thousand,
it has landed
many a thousand,
get on board,
get on board.
Refrain
’Tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
get on board, get on board.
Verse 2
Ain’t no danger
in the water,
ain’t no danger
in the water,
ain’t no danger
in the water,
get on board,
get on board.
Refrain
’Tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
get on board, get on board.
Verse 3
It was good
for my dear mother,
it was good
for my dear mother,
it was good for
my dear mother,
get on board,
get on board.
Refrain
’Tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
get on board, get on board.
Verse 4
It was good
for my dear father,
it was good
for my dear father,
it was good for
my dear father,
get on board,
get on board.
Refrain
’Tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
get on board, get on board.
Verse 5
It will take us
all to heaven,
it will take us
all to heaven,
it will take us
all to heaven,
get on board,
get on board.
Refrain
’Tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
’tis the old ship of Zion,
get on board, get on board.
Appears in these collections
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